TEACHER'S CORNER: RIEK TRIES TO KEEP SIXTH-GRADE STUDENTS GUESSING

Sixth-grade teacher Kay Riek's students have come a long way since her childhood.

Riek, in her third year as an educator, developed her love of teaching as a child. That's when her dolls and stuffed animals served as students.

Today, however, Riek leads a classroom of active sixth graders who are at an age where creativity and free expression are to be savored.

"Sixth grade is an incredible age group to teach," said Riek. "The students are at such a pivotal age in their life: Not quite teen-agers, yet not little kids anymore. It is so neat to see them sprouting their wings and getting ready to take off."

Riek tries to deliver information in a kid-friendly format that holds their interest. Because students learn in different ways, she said she tries to teach in different ways.

Sometimes Riek and her students make up songs or chants, and sometimes they have to make something to show they understand a concept. Riek also has her students act out certain concepts and make graphs, lists and charts.

"I try to keep students guessing about what I may do next," she said. "If the students don't know what I may do next, then they are more likely to pay attention if not, they may miss something."

Riek said she enjoys reading, and often requires her students to read silently or listen to a story. Her passion is picture storybooks.

"I use them to read to my students to teach or reinforce a particular concept," she said. "It also gives them a model for reading aloud using voice inflections and things like that."

Riek and her husband, Craig, live in Cape Girardeau. Outside of her classroom, Riek enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching and playing sports, spending time outdoors and playing with her dog, Buddy. She is a member of First Assembly of God and is involved in their Nets.